Ron Mills, president of the Dolphin Democrats, Florida’s oldest and largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Democratic club, issued the following statement on the passage of legislation to repeal the ban on openly-gay members serving in the military:

“Our nation was founded on the concept of equality for all, and yet equality for gay and lesbian Americans is still a work in progress.Today, with the US Senate’s passage of legislation to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, those gay and lesbian Americans who wish to serve their country without hiding their true identities are one step closer to equality.

“All 10 of Florida’s congressional Democrats in the House voted to repeal the ban earlier this week, joined by Republicans Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Lincoln Diaz-Balart.We thank them for recognizing that Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell had to go.We also thank Senator Bill Nelson for his vote against the ban.

“The Dolphin Democrats have been out front in fighting for repeal, working with the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus and National Stonewall Democrats.But this should not be seen as a partisan victory – rather, it is a victory shared by all Americans that underscores our true values.

“There are still many more key pieces of legislation lingering in Washington guaranteeing the LGBT community is ensured equality, but today we will celebrate the repeal of the discriminatory ban on openly gay men and women serving in the military.It’s a wonderful holiday gift for all Americans.”